Actor Jung Woo-sung returned to the 34th Busan Ilbo Film Awards smiling, overcoming the controversy over an extramarital child.
On the 18th the awards ceremony for the 34th Busan Ilbo Film Awards was held at Signiel Busan. The Busan Ilbo Film Awards, launched in 1958, are the nation's first film awards. However, due to a stagnation in the film industry caused by the spread of television and films being pushed out of living rooms, the awards were suspended after the 16th ceremony in 1973 and revived in 2008. This year's Busan Ilbo Film Awards, continuing for the 18th year, was staged as a celebration of filmmakers under the hosts Kim Nam-gil and Chun Woo-hee.
In particular, the Busan Ilbo Film Awards drew attention as Jung Woo-sung's comeback. It was his first public appearance since the disclosure last November of an extramarital child with model Moon Gabi, which embroiled him in a private life controversy. At the time, Jung Woo-sung's side emphasized that although he was not married, he would fulfill his duties as a father. Also, last August Jung Woo-sung was swept up in marriage rumors after saying he had registered his marriage with a long-time partner. The agency said it could not confirm private matters, but that was effectively interpreted as acknowledgment.
Afterward, Jung Woo-sung reportedly stayed out of the public eye except to shoot the new Disney+ series "Made in Korea." However, as the winner of the best actor award at the 33rd Busan Ilbo Film Awards for the film "Spring in Seoul," he returned to the Busan Ilbo Film Awards to perform handprinting and present awards as the previous year's winner.
Jung Woo-sung appeared as a presenter alongside actress Kim Geum-soon, the previous year's best actress winner. When Kim Geum-soon nonchalantly recited the catchphrase "응당 마땅 고도리" from the Netflix series "When Life Gives You Tangerines," Jung Woo-sung burst into laughter and appeared composed. He then left the stage after presenting the best actor trophy to fellow actor Lee Byung-hun, who won his fourth best actor award at the Busan Ilbo Film Awards for his performance in the film "The Match."
Meanwhile, the ceremony's top prize, best picture, drew attention when it went to the independent film "Jangson." Director Oh Jeong-min, who is the film's director and CEO of the production company Daemyeong, accepted the trophy on behalf of the film. He said, "This is the most honorable award I have ever received. It truly seems to be Korea's most prestigious Busan Ilbo Film Award."
He added, "It feels even more meaningful because it acknowledges the actors and the staff. I dedicate this award to the actors and the staff. In particular, I thank actors Kang Seung-ho and Oh Man-seok, who are here with us. Thanks to these two, we were able to make the film. I am truly grateful," and bowed in gratitude.
He continued with a smile, "My mother is currently ill, so she is probably watching this video from her sickbed. I hope she does not suffer and recovers quickly so she can return to work without resting," and vowed, "I will work to prove that the talk about a crisis in Korean film is not true."
Also at the Busan Ilbo Film Awards that day, actor Jang Dong-gun received the Yoo Hyun-mok Film Art Award, and Lee Byung-hun drew attention by winning his fourth best actor award. Actress Yang Hee-kyung won best supporting actress, bringing an emotional moment by shining a light on "The Morning Sea Gull," which failed at the box office when it was released during last year's emergency martial law situation.
The following is the list of winners at the 34th Busan Ilbo Film Awards.
- Best new director: 'When summer passes' Jang Byung-gi
- Best new actor: 'When summer passes' Choi Hyun-jin
- Best new actress: 'Victory' Lee Hye-ri
- Best screenplay: 'The morning sea gull' Park I-woong
- Best cinematography: 'Harbin' Hong Kyung-pyo
- Best music: 'High Five' Kim Joon-seok
- Best art/technical award: 'Harbin' Park Jung-woo
- Yoo Hyun-mok film art award: 'An Ordinary Family' Jang Dong-gun
- Female star of the year: 'Victory' Lee Hye-ri
- Male star of the year: 'Firefighter' Lee Joon-hyuk
- Best supporting actress: 'The morning sea gull' Yang Hee-kyung
- Best supporting actor: 'Jeon, Ran' Park Jung-min
- Best director: 'YADANG: The Snitch' Hwang Byung-guk
- Best actress: 'How to Love in a Metropolis' Kim Goeun
- Best actor: 'The Match' Lee Byung-hun
- Best picture: 'Jangson'
[Photo] OSEN reporter Lee Seok-woo.
[OSEN]